Prospect Hospice has announced that the 110 High Street store in Marlborough will close on Saturday, September 6.
A spokesperson explained that the decision was not an easy one and blamed continued financial pressures across the charity sector, including rising costs and changing shopping habits, which mean that Prospect Hospice has to focus its resources where they can have the greatest impact on funding patient care.
Stuart Necrews, head of commercial income at Prospect Hospice, said: “We are so thankful to the staff, volunteers, donors and customers who have supported this shop over the years.
“Closing the doors is not a decision we wanted to make, but it is a necessary one to ensure we can continue providing outstanding care to local people at the end of their lives.”
Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱
💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you.
Save over 50% on an annual subscription now.
🔗https://t.co/ayrpkI5pr6#KnowYourCity #SpecialOffer pic.twitter.com/9PFJMulLvW
— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025
The hospice’s other Marlborough shop on 130a High Street will remain open and donations can still be made for any items which will be distributed across the hospice’s network of stores in Swindon and Pewsey.
By shopping with Prospect Hospice, donating good-quality items, or volunteering time, supporters help to fund specialist end-of-life care for people across the county.
A full list of shops can be found at www.prospect-hospice.net/shops
This year, the hospice needs just under £10,000,000 to keep providing care.
Government funding has not increased for ten years so it only accounts for 18 per cent of the hospice’s running costs – the rest comes from donations and grants.
Recently, hundreds of people took part in Run the Rainbow at Lydiard Park and a Starlight Walk through the town’s streets, and two nurses from the hospice completed a skydive to raise money for the healthcare facility.
More than 40,000 patients have been helped in the 45 years since the hospice began.
The hospice has explained how donations are used below:
£26 could help pay for an hour of expert care from a Clinical Nurse for patients at the hospice.
£89 could help pay for four sessions for a family to help them cope with the death of a loved one.
£188 could help pay for a day of home visits from a Clinical Nurse Specialist.